Bathtub



May 29, 1934. H; 5. SAXMAN 1,960,830

BATHTUB Filed Dec. 1, 1953 Patented May 29, 1934 BATHTUB Harry S. Saxman, Blaix'sville, Pa.

Application December 1, 1933. Serial No. 700,448

2 Claims.

'I'he invention relates to bath tubs of the apron type, and more particularly to hand grips therefor for aiding bathers in getting in and out.

Bath tubs are generally cast iron coated with 5 vitreous enamel which is very slippery when wet or soapy, numerous accidents having been caused by bathers slipping in tubs and falling. Consequently, it is highly desirable that there be some portion of a bath tub which can be grasped by a bather to steady himself in getting into or out of it. The need for this is especially pronounced where a tub is used by invalids and old people, as such people are most likely to slip in the tub, and many have been seriously and some fatal- 1y injured by such falls. Apron-type bath tubs, to which this invention relates and which are also known as double-shell tubs, are provided with integral skirts or aprons extending downward from the entire length of the outer edge of the tub rims tothe oor level on the exposed sides. In such bath tubs the surfaces are continuous, fiat and rounded with no protruding edges which can be grasped by a bather to steady himself when he is using the tub.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apron-type bath tub with an integral hand grip which is readily and inexpensively formed when the tub is cast or otherwise formed. Further objects are to provide a bath tub hand grip of a form suitable for proper enameling and in which it is difficult for dirt to lodge, which can easily be kept clean and sanitary, which does not afford an opening for the accumulation of unsanitary matter between the body and apron of the tub, u which is free from projections which might injure a bather, and which does not detract from the pleasing appearance of the tub.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the acompanying drawing of which ,3 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an entire apron bath tub of the corner type, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a hand grip taken on the line Iii-II of Fig. l. In Fig. 1 of the drawing is shown a bath tub of the apron type, the particular ornamental design of which is immaterial to this invention. The bath tub illustrated consists of the usual tub body 1, whose upper edge turns outward to form an outwardly projecting rim 2. Integral with the rim and extending from its outer edge to the floor level is a substantially vertical skirt or apron 3. The apron is shown disposed at one side and one end of the tub, those being the sides of the tub exposed to view in the bath room. Oi.' course, the apron may be disposed on any number of sides,

depending upon whether the tub is of the recess, corner or pier type.

To aid a bather in entering and getting out of the tub, and in shifting his position while therein,

any desired number of hand grips are formed in 60 l the side or sides of the bath tub which he can grasp to steady or pull himself. In the drawing,

a single hand grip is illustrated as being positioned on one side of a tub substantially midway between its ends. The grip is formed by a small portion 4 of apron 3 adjoining rim 2 being offset toward the tub body 1 so that an easily gripped portion 5 of the rim overhangs the offset portion by projecting outward over it. Fig. 2 shows offset portion 4 as being inclined continuously in one plane backward under the rim. This type of offset is a practical one, because it does not impose any complications in casting of a tub, and forms a recess which is easily kept clean and which is pleasing in appearance. However, it is to be understood that any other form of apron offset which would enable a portion of the rim to be grasped is within the scope of this invention.

The ends of offset portion 4 are joined to the main portion of apron 3 by integral side walls 6 which preferably are substantially parallel. It will thus be seen that the apron is unbroken by any openings through which dirt and dust could enter and accumulate beneath the tub` body and between it and the apron.

Aparticular advantage of this hand grip lies in its simplicity. It requires no extra parts and presents no problem in casting. It does not detract from the appearance of a bath tub, nor does it project beyond the apron where it might cause injury to someone. Furthermore, the grip and adjoining recess are so formed that there is no difficulty in properly applying a vitreous enamel coating to the tub and its exposed hand grip, and for the same reason it is easy to keep clean.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction of my invention, and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I deside to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A one-piece double-shell bath tub comprising a tub body, a rim projecting outward .from the upper edge thereof, an apron extending from 110 substantially the entire length of the outer edge of the rim to the floor level on the exposed side of the tub, a relatively small portion of said apron adjoining the rim being inclined in a single plane backward under the rim whereby said rim overhangs said inclined portion to form a hand grip, and substantially parallel integral side Walls connecting the ends of said inclined portion to the main portion of the apron.

HARRY s. SAXMAN. 

